On behalf of all those who contribute to the equestrian family, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), governing body of international equestrian sport, announced on November 20 the creation of a commission on medication and doping chaired by Dr. Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission and Vice President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Commission will offer a robust examination of the way the equine anti-doping policies can...

Lexington, KY – The US show jumping team of Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7, Rebecca Johanson-Hofmann and Corona, Michelle Spadone and Melisimo, and Kirsten Coe and Starlight put on an impressive display at the CSIO Buenos Aires to win the Nations Cup over the Argentineans on their home turf. The US team finished on eight faults, ahead of Argentina (10) and Chile (24). All of the US riders contributed to the effort, with Johanson-Hofmann jumping two immaculate clears. Bond, Spadone and Coe all had one...

Lexington, KY - The final United States Equestrian Federation National Eventing Championship of the year wrapped up the season at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. Held in Temecula, CA (concurrently with the CCI**) on November 1-2. Juniors and Young Riders shone in the 2008 USEF National Junior/Young Rider CCI* Team Championship-West. The team made up of three riders from Area I and VI, triumphed in the long format CCI* over the team from Area VII to claim the Championship. Suzy...

Lexington, KY - A replacement horse/rider combination has been named to represent the United States at the CSIO Buenos Aires November 12-16. The four horse/rider combinations and alternates were selected based on their ranking on the October 3, 2008 USEF Computer List. Rebecca Johanson-Hofmann/Corona were the first ranked alternate and have replaced Georgina Bloomberg/Cim Christo. Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner Michelle Spadone/25/Califon, NJ/Melisimo/14/Royal Dutch...

Scores of Iberian horses, along with their riders, handlers and owners, assembled at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, TX, October 13-18 for the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association’s (IALHA) 2008 National Championship Horse Show. Last week’s competition drew nearly 150 Andalusian, Lusitano and Half-Andalusian horses, and included hundreds of participants from across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Affectionately known as the Horse of Kings, the versatile...

Harrisburg, PA – With 274 riders vying for the title of 2008 Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, making the top twenty-five is tough enough. But Kels Annabelle Bonham bested the competition to take the championship title, making her last year in the Medal Finals even more special. This was Bonham’s fourth time riding in the Medal Finals and she rode early in the order of go. Judges Alex Jayne and Tammy Provost put her at the top of their card and she stayed there until the conclusion of the...

Lexington, KY – A mutual decision has been made not to renew the contract of USEF National Dressage Coach Klaus Balkenhol which expires at the end of 2008. The decision between Balkenhol and the USEF’s High Performance Dressage Committee means that his role as Chef d’Equipe, National Dressage Coach and Technical Advisor to the Committee shall be concluded according to the terms of the existing contract on December 31, 2008. In recognition of Balkenhol’s excellent service to the USEF over the...

Horse enthusiasts at our 2008 Extravaganza can plan on three action-packed days of everything equestrian from October 31-November 2 at the Richmond Raceway Complex in Richmond, VA. With multiple arenas of non-stop clinics and demonstrations, some of the best clinicians in the country, an exciting Trainer Challenge, an acclaimed seminar series with some of the leading equine practitioners in the country, and America's Ultimate Horse Idol competition, equestrians of all levels and interests can...

The Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, a section of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), will hold their annual preconference workshop at Green Chimneys Farm in Brewster, NY, on October 28. Equine facilitated mental health is defined as a number of mutually respectful activities involving equines, such as handling, grooming, riding, carriage driving, vaulting and educational experiences that help participants explore feelings and behavior. Green Chimneys...

There is a happy end in sight for the 11 abandoned horses found in early September near Molalla, OR. At a public auction on September 10, six of the horses were purchased by good families. At the request of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) purchased the five horses who did not receive bids from prospective owners. The HSUS will house all five horses at its Duchess Sanctuary, a 1,120-acre horse sanctuary and rescue facility in Douglas County,...